Electrical connector



Jan. 30, 1968 w. A. GAMMEL, sR., ET AL 3,366,919

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Feb. 11, 1966 FIE 5 I N VEN '1 OR 5 1444;72-7? 4. 6444/1454 .632. day/u 67203:;

Unite ABSTRACT 53F THE DESCL'GSURE An electrical connector for arrangingelectrical contact between multiple conductors in a connector assembly,and being particularly arranged to be utilized in connection withflexible multi-conductor electrical cable having a plurality ofindividual ribbon-type conductors disposed therein. The connectorincludes a male plug member and a receptacle for receiving the plug, therecep-tacle having a cavity formed therein for retaining individualcontacts, the mouth portion of the cavity being relieved along onesurface thereof so as to permit the plug member to be inserted in anangularly disposed relationship to the axis of the cavity, and whensubstantially fully inserted, camnied arcuately toward the individualcontacts, and thereby engage the contacts.

The present invention relates generally to an improved electricalconnector, and more specifically to an im proved electrical connectoradapted to arrange for electrical contact between multiple conductors ina connector assembly. The apparatus of the present invention hasparticular utility in application with flexible multiconductorelectrical cable, although it will be appreciated that the apparatus hasutility in connection with printed circuitry boards of both flexible andrigid type as well.

In the preparation of electrical connectors it is generally desirable toprepare these devices with a relatively small mass, and it is alsodesirable to arrange them so as to provide for a high degree ofreliability. It may also be desirable, in certain applications, toprovide for protection from adverse environmental conditions such asdust, explosive atmosphere or the like. In the manufacture of electricalconnectors of this type, particularly when minituarization or compactdesign is a factor or feature, various measures must be taken in orderto insure contact reliability. For example, in the arranging of contactsto flexible multi-conductor cable, care must be taken in order to insurethat proper mechanical and elecrical contact is achieved between eachconductor and a corresponding contact member of the connector element,this feature necessarily being accomplished without risking damage ordestruction to the conductors by way of abrasion or other deleteriousforces. In the present apparatus, this is accomplished by providing amale plug member which is adapted to be received in a female receptaclein such a way that the male plug may pivot within the receptacle in adirection toward the flexible contact members to an ultimate insertedposition wherein the contact members are stressed away from their normaldisposition, this pivotal motion occurring only after the male plugmember has achieved its substantially inserted position. Therefore, theindividual conductors are in contact with the contact members for onlyan extremely limited distance during insertion, and during thisoperation, the relative motion which occurs is substantially a wipingmotion between the surfaces of the conductors and of the contactmembers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to States Patent Gprovide an improved connector element which is adapted to providereliable electrical contact between electrical conductors of relativelythin cross-sectional dimension, the reliable electrical contact beingachieved with a minimum of frictional or abrasive forces acting betweenthe surfaces of the conductor and the connector elements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedelectrical connector apparatus which is reliable in its operation andwhich is versatile, it being appropriately arranged for utilization withflexible multiconductor electrical cable, as well as for flexible orrigid printed wiring arrangements.

it is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved electrical connector device which is well adapted for use withflexible multi-conductor electrical cable, and which is adapted tomaintain a contact environment which is free from dust, dirt, or othercontaminating influences.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification,appended claims, and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a connector apparatus prepared inaccordance with the present inventoin, and showing the portions of theconnector in exploded view and coupled to a flexible multi-conductorelectrical connector;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in thedirection of the arrows 2-2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a detail view, partially broken away, taken along the lineand in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a detail view, similar to a portion of the apparatus shownin FIGURE 2, and showing the disposition of the connector elementsduring the insertion operation.

in accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention,the connector apparatus generally designated iii includes a receptaclebody portion 11 together with a male plug member shown generally at 12.In the various figures, a section of flexible multi-co-nductorelectrical cable is shown as at 14 and 1.5, the individual conductormembers on the cable being shown as at 16-16 for example. The connectoris shown mounted on a panel member 17 in FIGURE 1, the mounting screws18-18 being employed for retaining the connector in its position on themounting panel. Also, as indicated in FIGURE 1, the mounting orretaining screws 19-19 are utilized to retain the plug member 12 in itsproper engaged relationship with the receptacle member 11.

Turning now to the details of construction of the connector, asparticularly shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the receptacle member i=1 isprovided with a contact cavity shown at 21, this cavity having a pair ofopposed surfaces 22 and 23, these being spaced apart a sufficientdistance to receive the male plug member therein. Also, disposed withthe cavity area 21 are a plurality of contact members shown generally at25. These contact members have a central body portion 26 together with apair of legs 27 and 28 extending outwardly therefrom. At the free end ofeach of the legs 27 and 28, a contact head such as is shown at 29 isprovided. The individual legs 27 and 28 have a bending axis which isgenerally parallel with the plane of the drawing as shown in FIGURES 2and 4, these legs extending therefrom in a cantilevered manner aboutthis bending axis and the central body portion 26. If desired, the headmember may be provided with a precious metal coating or cladding at thepoint where the contact head engages the individual conductors. Themembers 25 are preferably fabricated from a substantially resilientmaterial such as beryllium copper, or the like, however it isappreciated that other materials may be utilized as well. While it isagain normally expected that the materials will be conductive, andgenerally conductive throughout, it is also possible to fabricate thebody portion from a metal which may thereafter be coated with aninsulating film, the contacting portion at the head, of course, beingfree of any insulating film, if one is utilized.

It is generally preferred that the body 1-1 be molded of one piececonstruction. Again, it is possible to mold this assembly in severalmating parts and the individual contact members may be thereby droppedinto place. The contact members per so being in one piece provideversatility and thereby avoid close manufacturing tolerances. It isfurther appreciated that the contact member per so may be snapped intolocation in a stressed position within the blocks, thereby rendering itsdimensions somewhat less than critical.

Again, the versatility of the receptacle portion provides electricalconversion from: (1) flexible multi-conductor electrical cable, (2)flexible circuit boards, (3) rigid circuit board or any combinationsthereof to: (A) any of the assemblies mentioned in 1), (2) or (3) aswell as to wire wrap, taper pin, taper receptacles, or conventionalcontact prongs. With this versatility it is, therefore, possible toemploy the unit as a junction block or as a protected female receptacle.

Turning now to the structure of the male plug portion 12, it will beobserved that this member includes a cap member 31 together with atongue portion 32 being utilized to carry, support, and mount theindividual flexible multi-conductor electrical cable 14 may employ alaminate structure with a coverlay portion thereon, and as indicated at34, this coverlay is removed in order to expose the individualconductors to make contact with the heads 29, for example. As indicatedin detail in FIGURE 2, the tongue member is relieved as at 35 in orderto provide a channel of smooth relief section for receiving the flexiblecable terminal section therein. It will be appreciated, however, that ifdesired, a modified form of tongue element 32 could be utlized wherebythe conductor elements of the cable would follow around the entireperiphery of the tongue, and be exposed on the lower and forwardsurfaces as well. In this connection, however, redundant contacts may bemade along the surface of the lower contact leg member such as at 36 forexample. This feature will enhance the reliability of the system, aswill be readily appreciated. Also, the tip of the male plug member maybe either chamfered, beveled or provided with a radius of curvature toenable its acceptance of the flexible cable and enhance its entry intothe receptacle member.

In order to enhance the bonding between the cap 31 and the tongue 32, arecess is formed as at 39 in order to accommodate the tongue in properdisposition therein. Adhesive bonds many be employed to couple thecircuitry member 14 to the cap member 31 and the tongue member 32, andadhesive bonding may also be utilized to couple the cap member 31 to thetongue member 32.

Referring now in detail to the lower portion of the cap member, it willbe observed that a projection is provided which is identified at 41, andalso a recess zone is shown in the receptacle structure as at 42. Thisstructure takes on significance with a study of FIGURE 4 which showsthat the male plug member is initially received in the cavity in acanted or tilted disposition, and is ultimately pivoted into itsinserted form as shown in FIGURE 2, however, this pivot motion notoccurring until entrance of the male plug member is substantiallycomplete. This avoids any excessive abrasion of the contact head 29 onthe surface of the conductors 1--16 of the cable 14. Also, as clearlyshown in FIGURE 4, for example, an O- ring may be provided in a recessas shown at 45 in order to provide environmental protection for theindividual contacts.

As indicated in FIGURE 2 it is possible to provide for external contactsof the various conventional types, such as wire-wrap prongs, taper pinsor the like. A wire-wrap terminal is shown at 47 for convenience ofillustration. Also, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, a bore is formed throughthe receptacle member 11, such as on the upper portion thereof in orderto make mechanicaland electrical contact possible between the wire-wrapterminal 47 and the central body portion 25 of the contact members. Thisfeature obviously enhances the versatility of this connector device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of our invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. An electrical connector comprising, in combination, a male plughaving a conductor bearing surface and a back surface generally opposedto said conductor bearing surface, and a female receptacle body, saidfemale receptable body comprising:

(a) a body structure having a contact cavity therein with an axisgenerally parallel to the depth thereof and adapted to receive a maleplug member therein, a plurality of contact members retained within saidcavity, each of said contact members having a contact blade with acontact head at the free end thereof and a bending axis disposedgenerally parallel to the axis of said cavity, and means within saidcavity for retaining said contact members therein,

(b) said contact retaining means having means for positioning saidcontact members in generally spaced parallel relationship within saidcontact cavity and with each contact head being disposed generally alonga first side wall,

(c) said contact cavity having an inclined opening surface forming arecessed dimension at the mouth thereof opposite said contact member andalong a dimension generally parallel to the bending axi of the contactblades of said contact members,

((1) means defining a fulcrum point within said cavity and disposedinwardly of said contact head member and along a second side wallgenerally oppositely disposed from said first side wall to engage saidmale plug member along said back surface, and

(e) means for pivoting said male plug within said cavity in a directionaway from said relieved zone and towards said first side wall until saidcontact members are stressed along their respective bending axis towardssaid first side wall and into a contact engaging position, and means forretaining said plug in said contact engaging position, the arrangementbeing such that said male plugmay enter said cavity to a pointsubstantially adjacent the bottom surface thereof prior to theengagement of said conductors with the heads of said contact members.

2. The electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that the receptacle body has first and secondsubstantially identical cavities arranged in pairs, the contact membersof said cavities being common and extending generally from a centralbody portion and into said first and second cavities.

3. The electrical connector apparatus as defined in claim 2 beingparticularly characterized in that said cavities are arranged inback-to-back relationship.

4. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that the mouth of said cavity has a shouldered recess,with the male plug having a head member thereon with mating shoulderprotrusions adapted to abut said shouldered recess.

5. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said second surface is provided with a contact legdisposed in generally spaced parallel relation to said contact member,an in electrical continuity with said contact member, and means forextending conductors in continuation from said conductor bearing surfaceto said back surface to make contact with said contact legs.

6. The electrical connector as defined in claim 5 being particularlycharacterized in that said fulcrum comprises the forward end of saidcontact legs.

7. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that a side wall of said receptacle is provided withbores for making electrical contact therethrough and to said contactmembers.

8. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said receptacle body has first and secondsubstantially identical cavities arranged in pairs and in back-to-backrelationship, the contact members of said cavities being common andextending generally from a central body portion and into first andsecond cavities, a side wall of said receptacle being provided withthrough-bores for receiving electrical conductors for making electricalcontact to said central body portions.

9. An electrical connector comprising, in combination, a male plughaving a conductor bearing surface and a back surface generally opposedto said conductor bearing surface, and a female receptacle body, saidmale plug having an opening therein for receiving flexiblen1ulticonductor electrical cable and having means for retaining saidcable along the conductor bearing surface of said plug, said femalereceptacle body comprising:

(a) a body structure having a contact cavity therein with an axisgenerally parallel to the depth thereof and adapted to receive a maleplug member therein, a plurality of contact members retained within saidcavity, each of said contact members having a con tact blade with acontact head at the free end thereof and a bending axis disposedgenerally parallel to the axis of said cavity, and means within saidcavity for retaining said contact members therein,

(b) said contact retaining means having means for positioning saidcontact members in generally spaced parallel relationship Within saidcontact and with the contact heads being disposed generally along afirst side wall,

(c) said contact cavity having an inclined surface forming a recessedopening dimension at the mouth thereof opposite said contact members andalong a dimension generally parallel to the bending axis of said contactblades of the contact members and along a second side wall oppositelydisposed from said first side wall,

(d) means defining a fulcrum point for said plug within said cavity anddisposed inwardly of said contact head and along said second side wallto engage said male plug member along the back surface thereof,

(e) means for pivoting said male plug within said cavity in a directionaway from said relieved Zone and towards said first side wall until saidcontact members are engaged and stressed along their respective bendingaxis towards said first side wall, and means for retaining said plug insaid contact engaging position, the arrangement being such that saidmale plug may enter said cavity to a point substantially adjacent thebottom surface thereof prior to the engagement of said conductors withthe heads of said contact members.

10. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that seal means are provided along the mating surfacesbetween said receptacle and said plug.

11. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being particularlycharacterized in that said plug has a projection along one surfacethereof for engaging the surface of said receptacle along the relievedopening portion of the mouth of said cavity.

12. The electrical connector as defined in claim 1 being furthercharacterized in that locking means are provided for releasably securingsaid plug in said receptacle body.

13. The electrical connector as defined in claim 9 being particularlycharacterized in that said male plug member has an inclined surface areaalong the conductor bearing surface thereof for providing a generallyplanar conductor bearing surface having conductors arranged in generallyparallelly coplanar relationship thereon.

14. The electrical connector as defined in claim 9 being particularlycharacterized in that said contact tip has a portion protruding awayfrom said first side wall and toward said second side wall, the recessedopening dimension at the mount of said cavity being along said secondside wall and being recessed sufiiciently to .permit said plug to extendinto said cavity until the tip of said plug is adjacent the bottomsurface of said cavity and while a separation gap exists between saidcontact tip and the conductors on said conductor bearing surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,669,042 5/1928 Cromartie ct al.339-258 X 2,897,763 8/1959 Wright 339--94 X 3,156,514- 11/1964 Wing etal. 339--17 X 3,215,968 11/1965 Herrmann 339-17 3,270,311 8/1966 Deer etal. 33917 MARVIN A CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

JOHN R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,366,919 January 30, 1968 Walter A. Gammel, Sr. et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 3, line 30, after "32" insert the tongue portion 32 column 4,line 74, for "an" read and column 5, line 40, after "contact" insertcavity column 6, line 35, for "mount" read mouth Signed and sealed this18th day of March 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.Attesting Officer

